While much of the focus on the Chicago Bulls has been on the front office’s attempts to trade two-time NBA All-Star Zach LaVine and his hefty contract, the team has also been quietly making moves that suggest a shift towards a younger and more cost-effective roster. This approach doesn’t mean the team lacks potential, as demonstrated by the promising performance of Adama Sanogo, who might have a bright future as a rotational player.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported on Twitter that “Chicago Bulls RFA Adama Sanogo has agreed to sign a two-way contract with the team.” Sanogo, represented by Daniel Hazan of Hazan Sports, played only nine games in his rookie season but made a significant impact in his final appearance. In a game where many Bulls starters were absent, Sanogo scored 22 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in 35 minutes off the bench against the Washington Wizards. This performance made him one of only 22 rookies in NBA history to achieve a 20-20 game, joining the ranks of notable players like Victor Wembanyama and Walker Kessler.
Reflecting on his standout performance, Sanogo expressed his joy, saying, “It feels good, man. I’ve been waiting for this all year. To be able to come in and do it now, it feels great. The good thing about this is it’s like a dream come true for me.”
Sanogo’s strong finish, along with his impressive play for the Bulls’ G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, has earned him an extended opportunity to prove himself. With Andre Drummond moving to Philadelphia and the Bulls possibly looking to trade Nikola Vucevic, Sanogo is expected to see more playing time this season.
Latest on Zach LaVine Trade Prospects
The Bulls’ efforts to trade Zach LaVine have hit some roadblocks. LaVine’s five-year max contract, signed in 2022, has complicated efforts to trade him for valuable assets. The Bulls might even need to include draft picks to entice another team to take on LaVine’s contract.
Recently, the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings have been mentioned as potential trade partners for LaVine. Additionally, there is some hope that the Brooklyn Nets might be interested. Stephen Not of Sporting News suggested a potential trade involving LaVine and Ben Simmons, which would reduce the Bulls’ salary obligations by $2 million and clear their books faster since Simmons’ contract expires at the end of the year. This trade could benefit both teams: the Bulls would accelerate their rebuild, and the Nets would acquire a marketable pseudo-star.
This potential trade scenario, if executed, would align with the Bulls’ broader strategy of rebuilding with younger, promising players like Sanogo, while managing their salary cap more effectively.
